The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 28: Two Become One

　　A cold gust of wind snapped Si Yao out of her wandering thoughts, the chill of the late-night air making her shiver. Her mind cleared in an instant.

　　She shook her head, tossing aside the messy memories that had been crowding her mind.

　　Si Yao’s gaze softened as she looked at Jiang Shou leaning against her shoulder. His nose was straight, his features sharp and handsome, far more mature and commanding than the boy she remembered.

　　He was no longer the little junior disciple who used to trail behind her. Now, he possessed strength unmatched by most, a man who could stand tall on his own and shoulder immense responsibilities.

　　They stayed like that for a long time, long enough that Si Yao’s legs grew numb from sitting on the ground, blood no longer circulating properly.

　　Just as she was wondering if they might sit there all night, Jiang Shou, still unconscious, furrowed his brow slightly. His tightly shut eyes twitched, as if he were struggling to wake.

　　Jiang Shou felt himself plunged into an endless darkness, no matter how hard he tried, he could not find a way out.

　　He pressed off with his feet, channeling his spiritual energy, and shot in one direction, desperate to reach the edge of the darkness.

　　He moved incredibly fast, capable of crossing tens of thousands of miles in an instant.

　　Yet the darkness seemed boundless. He traveled for what felt like an eternity, covering a distance that could span several continents, but still, he could not break free.

　　Until he heard a voice, clear and melodic, carrying as if from another world.

　　The voice was crisp, ethereal, and extraordinarily pleasant, like it came from the heavens above.

　　“Jiang Shou, Jiang Shou.”

　　“Jiang Shou, wake up.”

　　With each call, Jiang Shou felt a faint glimmer of light appear in the endless darkness. He ran toward it with all his might.

　　Slowly, Jiang Shou opened his eyes. Everything was hazy, the world blurred.

　　His mouth was parched, his head splitting with pain, and a sudden, restless heat rose in his chest.

　　He forced himself to stay conscious, and little by little, the surroundings came into focus.

　　He realized someone was beside him, and he had been resting against soft, jade-like shoulders.

　　Sitting up, he saw the owner of those shoulders staring at him with bright, black eyes, blinking curiously.

　　“Are you feeling better?”

　　Jiang Shou’s mind raced, remembering what had happened. Before losing consciousness, he had sensed others around him. He never expected it to be Si Yao.

　　Realizing this, he pressed his pale lips together, his face cooling. Si Yao had witnessed this embarrassing moment of his poison attack.

　　Seeing his expression, Si Yao thought it was the poison still acting up and asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Does it still hurt?”

　　She checked him carefully while speaking, worried. The Nine-Turn Yin-Yang Pill should suppress the poison for at least a hundred days. It shouldn’t have worn off so quickly.

　　Seeing her so anxious made Jiang Shou feel a little dazed. Was she worried about him?

　　The thought made his heart flutter unexpectedly. He held her small hands, which had been checking his injuries against his chest, and his Adam’s apple moved as he said in a hoarse, low voice, “I’m fine now.”

　　His voice was raspy, deep, and magnetic, making Si Yao’s heart skip a beat.

　　Jiang Shou now was unmatched in strength and brilliance, a mature man far more charming than the boy he had once been. He drew the eye in a way that was impossible to ignore.

　　Si Yao’s thoughts scrambled, her heart pounding, and she awkwardly looked away, trying to explain why she was here: “It's alright, that's good. I told you I could help you; this poison is not a problem for me.”

　　Jiang Shou seemed pleased with her reaction. His pale lips curved slowly into a smile as he looked her.

　　Si Yao felt a little flustered under his intense gaze.

　　The two of them were sitting in a messy heap under the tree. Jiang Shou had mostly recovered, so he stood up.

　　Si Yao realized she had spent too much time here. It was nearly midnight, and she needed to get back and think of a way to convince Jiang Shou to succeed as Sect Leader.

　　She tried to stand as Jiang Shou rose, but after a couple of attempts, she realized she couldn’t. Her legs were completely numb from sitting too long, without any sensation at all.

　　Her face flushed with embarrassment. She tried to circulate her spiritual energy to wake her legs, only to find her dantian empty. Almost all her energy had been used to help Jiang Shou suppress the poison.

　　Finding herself stuck in such an awkward situation, Si Yao felt a flush of embarrassment. She was about to tell Jiang Shou to wait until her legs recovered so they could go together, not wanting to be left alone in this pitch-black place.

　　“Jiang…”

　　Seeing her struggle to stand, Jiang Shou immediately understood what had happened.

　　Before Si Yao could finish her sentence, he bent down and, with ease, lifted her into his arms.

　　Si Yao hadn’t expected this. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the handsome profile of Jiang Shou’s face.

　　“Don’t just stare at me. You can’t walk right now, so how else do you expect to get back? Are we supposed to spend the night here?”

　　His voice was calm, matter-of-fact, leaving no room for argument.

　　Ignoring her stunned expression, Jiang Shou carried her toward the direction of the sect.

　　Though his face still held a hint of pallor, his arms were steady and strong. Carrying Si Yao felt as effortless as holding a bundle of cotton.

　　Si Yao stopped struggling and nestled quietly in his embrace, listening to his powerful heartbeat.

　　She tilted her head, looking up at his sharply defined jaw, and pouted. “How come you’re so skilled at this? Don’t tell me you do this often with other girls.”

　　Hearing her self-righteous words, Jiang Shou’s lips twitched slightly. In his mind, he retorted silently: He hadn’t carried other girls before, though he had once carried a drunkard.    

　　Seeing Jiang Shou stay silent, Si Yao assumed he was embarrassed. She let out a huff, a little sour, and snorted, “I guess it makes sense. I heard girls who like you line up from the sect gate for hundreds of miles. It wouldn’t be surprising if you’d carried other girls before.”

　　She muttered to herself, pouting, then blinked and asked again, “So over the years, how many pretty older sisters have you dated?”

　　Jiang Shou blinked, dumbfounded. Si Yao often said things that made no sense to him.

　　“What do you mean by ‘dated’?”

　　Si Yao thought for a moment, then magnanimously explained to this wooden-headed guy, “It means becoming a Daoist Partner.”

　　“How many Daoist Partners do you have?”

　　Jiang Shou was the typical overpowered male lead of “The Proud Sky” novel. Even though the book didn’t describe his love life, according to Si Yao’s experience, such male leads usually had plenty of harem members.

　　Three dark lines appeared on Jiang Shou’s forehead. He had no idea how Si Yao came up with this train of thought. With a sigh, he gritted his teeth and said, “I don’t have any Daoist Partners.”

　　“Ah?”

　　Si Yao blinked in surprise at his answer.

　　Her reaction made Jiang Shou’s expression darken. Her tone made it sound like it was shocking that he didn’t have a Daoist Partner.

　　Just when he thought she had finally quieted down, Si Yao’s lazy voice rang out again, tinged with sympathy.

　　“No wonder he wasn't moved by a beauty like Yun Xiangxiang.”

　　“So he really is useless…”    

　　Jiang Shou, carrying Si Yao all the way: “?”

　　What is this pitying tone even supposed to mean?

　　Useless?

　　Useless at what exactly?

　　His face darkened, and he glanced sideways at Si Yao. She blinked her big eyes innocently back at him.

　　A fire burned in his chest, but Si Yao didn’t say it outright. She was just silently mocking him in her mind. If he responded to this, it would make him look petty.

　　Even though Jiang Shou was used to occasionally hearing her thoughts, he still nearly got a stomach ache from the anger.

　　Feeling his arms tighten slightly around her, Si Yao assumed her previous comment must have touched a sore spot. She quickly tried to comfort him: “You don’t need to be sad. Back in my hometown, plenty of men have the same worries as you.”

　　“If you trust me, I know a medicine called Viagra. Maybe it can help you.”

　　Her words were said with complete sincerity, giving the impression she genuinely wanted to help Jiang Shou.

　　The real reason, of course, was that the system had just reminded her Jiang Shou’s favorability toward her had increased by 100 points. Not only had she gained 100 points, but her cultivation had also advanced to mid Golden Core.

　　So she wanted to take advantage of the momentum, help Jiang Shou with his “problem,” and raise his favor a little more.

　　But Jiang Shou was having none of it. His face was dark, teeth grinding audibly, and through clenched teeth, he spat out a few words: “No need to bother. You keep it for yourself.”

　　Anger boiled in Jiang Shou’s chest. He quietly thought that if she kept rambling like this, he would just drop her on the ground.

　　By the time he delivered Si Yao back to her place, the chattering girl had finally quieted down.

　　Jiang Shou carefully set her on the bed. She moved a little and discovered her legs had regained feeling.    

　　Si Yao, who had been laughing and joking all the way, suddenly became serious. She earnestly said to Jiang Shuo, “Your poison isn’t fully gone. I can only suppress it for a hundred days, not completely eliminate it. Next time it flares up, you have to come to me first, or the pain will only get worse each time.”

　　After speaking, she pulled out a pill and pressed it into his hand. It was a Nine-Turn Yin Yang Pill she had secretly exchanged with the system. She spoke with weight in her voice, “If something happens and you can’t find me in time, take this. It will help suppress the poison.”

　　Si Yao went on and on with instructions, but Jiang Shou just stared at her, eyes burning.

　　She cared about his poison… because she was worried about him?

　　Would she really care about him?

　　Jiang Shou’s mind drifted to that strange voice that had accompanied Si Yao. It had been the one telling her to treat him well. Thinking about it made him feel slightly down.

　　He had kept Si Yao by his side to see what her intentions were, but he had overestimated himself. A few words from her, a single kiss, and he was already drowning in it. It nearly made him forget the torment he had suffered ten years ago.

　　Jiang Shou gritted his teeth, forcing himself to harden his heart. He must not repeat the past.

　　With a hint of stubbornness, he pushed the Nine-Turn Yin Yang Pill back to her, his voice distant, “I don’t need it.”

　　Si Yao raised an eyebrow, not understanding his sudden mood, and explained, “This can ease your pain.”

　　Jiang Shuo, however, was completely unmoved, coldly rejecting Si Yao, “I don’t need it. I can handle it myself.”

　　Yeah, right. Handle it yourself.

　　Si Yao looked at his stubborn face and seriously wanted to slap him. She wondered who had been in excruciating pain just moments before, unable to even get up.

　　“Do you want it or not?”

　　Her voice carried a thin edge of anger.

　　Jiang Shou tilted his head lazily, “No.”

　　That casual refusal pushed Si Yao over the edge. She sprang up, grabbed the collar of his robe, and dragged him toward the door.

　　In a few quick motions, she shoved him outside, pressed the pill into his chest, and slammed the door shut with a loud click.

　　Try playing hero in front of me, you stubborn fool.

　　Door closed. Guest Out. Problem solved. 

　　—

　　The Xuanming Sect was nestled in the widest mountain ranges of the Canglan Continent, where mist lingered all year and greenery remained ever lush.

　　The disciples of the Xuanming Sect are traditionally reclusive, rarely venturing down the mountain. Life in the sect consisted mostly of cultivation, with idle gossip as the only entertainment.

　　Today, however, a major event shook the sect. Suddenly, strict orders were issued: no disciple was allowed to leave the sect, and during this period, causing trouble within the sect was strictly forbidden. Anyone who disobeyed would face the harshest punishment.

　　This severe command sent waves of unease through the sect. In its thousand-year history, the sect had never restricted disciples from going about their normal routines. For the Sect Leader to issue such a grave order, something serious must have happened.

　　Whispers and speculations immediately spread throughout the sect.

　　As for Si Yao, she had gained Jiang Shou’s favor last night after helping him suppress the poison, and her cultivation had advanced to the mid-Golden Core stage. At this level, she could not only fly through the air but also change her body and skin, altering her appearance at will.

　　In the Xuanming Sect’s library of hidden scriptures, she had found a method to change her looks, allowing her to disguise herself more effectively. Her original beauty, likened to a moonlit elf, had faded into a much more ordinary appearance, though her eyes still retained their lively sparkle.

　　Finally, she could go without wearing a mask.

　　Si Yao had also heard about the sect’s new decree and, for a moment, had no idea what could have caused it. The plot had diverged so wildly from the original storyline that nothing aligned anymore. This part didn’t exist in the original story at all.

　　Si Yao felt a pang of frustration. The further the story veered off, the more uncontrollable factors would accumulate.

　　“Si Luo, Elder Situ summons you to Yuanming Hall,” said a young man dressed like a gate attendant, coming specifically for her.

　　Si Yao frowned in confusion. She was just an insignificant nobody. Why would Elder Situ summon her?

　　Her heart tightened. Could it be that her true identity had been discovered?

　　At the thought of this, Si Yao suddenly felt a strong reluctance to go to Yuanming Hall. She had wanted to make an excuse, but then she realized that the elders were all centuries-old masters, each with incredible skills. If they really discovered her true identity, running away would be impossible.

　　There was no choice. Si Yao had to steel herself and go.

　　Her heart raced as she approached Yuanming Hall. Inside, the elders wore solemn expressions, discussing something serious. When they saw her arrive, their conversation abruptly stopped.

　　Si Yao stepped forward and respectfully cupped her fists in greeting. “Disciple Si Luo pays respects to the elders.”

　　The elders nodded slightly in response.

　　Elder Situ, his hair and beard as white as snow, stepped forward and lightly supported Si Yao with a gentle smile. “No need for so many formalities. I’ve called you here today because there is an important matter I wish to entrust to you.”

　　The elder’s words were extremely courteous, and Si Yao felt both honored and a little surprised.

　　He was a long-standing elder of the Xuanming Sect, and she was just a humble disciple. If he needed anything, a simple instruction would have sufficed. Yet he said “entrust,” making her feel unexpectedly respected.

　　Si Yao’s expression remained deferential. “Elder, please give your orders. This disciple will do her utmost.”

　　Elder Situ’s face was kind and warm. He stroked his snow-white beard and chuckled. “Do not be nervous. It is not a difficult task.”

　　“Simply put, the sect has decided to hold the Immortal Sect Assembly, a grand and prestigious event. Leaders and disciples from many renowned sects will be invited.”

　　Elder Situ smiled as he explained. “The assembly will invite not only the heads of these sects but also their most talented disciples. There will be countless attendees, and organizing such an event is no small task.”

　　“Our Xuanming Sect has stood tall on the Canglan Continent for thousands of years. On an occasion like this, we must not lose face.”

　　“All preparations for the Immortal Sect Assembly have been entrusted to Yuanbai. Yet hosting such a grand event involves countless details. If left to him alone, it may be too burdensome.”

　　Following Elder Situ’s gaze, Si Yao finally noticed Mu Yuanbai standing there. She had been so focused on wondering why the elder wanted to see her that she hadn’t even noticed him.

　　Mu Yuanbai looked at Si Yao’s unfamiliar face, realizing she had used some special method to change her appearance. His gaze was calm and jade-like as he offered her a faint, polite smile.

　　Elder Situ watched the quiet interaction between Si Yao and Mu Yuanbai, a smile spreading across his aged face. His voice was gentle but serious. “Child, ever since I first saw you that day, I felt you handle things steadily. You are reliable. Why not assist Yuanbai in managing all matters for the Immortal Sect Assembly?”

　　Si Yao, who had just been mysteriously praised, blinked.

　　What on earth had given Elder Situ the impression that she was steady and reliable?

　　“Elder, she has only been in the sect for seven days. She is unfamiliar with the sect’s affairs. Entrusting something as important as the Immortal Sect Assembly to her might not be appropriate,” a voice objected.

　　Si Yao pursed her lips, wondering if Elder Situ had lost his mind. Then she looked up, and of course, there was Jiang Shuo.

　　He appeared utterly unconvinced by Elder Situ’s decision. “Senior Brother is always capable. Handling the Immortal Sect Assembly is well within his ability. Adding another person will only create more trouble,” Jiang Shuo said, his lips curling into a smile that did not reach his eyes. His tone carried a subtle edge, emphasizing “Senior Brother” in a way that made his disapproval clear.

　　Managing the Immortal Sect Assembly was no small task. If Si Yao worked alongside him, they would inevitably interact.

　　Mu Yuanbai knew what Jiang Shuo was up to as soon as he heard this: he didn't want Si Yao to get too close to him. But he wouldn't grant Jiang Shuo's wish; he insisted on being with Si Yao.

　　Unbothered by Jiang Shuo, Mu Yuanbai replied, “I think Elder Situ’s arrangement is excellent. Junior Sister Si Luo is always steady and—”

　　Suddenly, he recalled their intimate moment by the lake. A strange sensation rose in his chest. Clearing his throat twice, he continued, “—and she is graceful and composed. I very much look forward to working with her.”

　　Jiang Shuo caught the hidden meaning in Yuanbai’s words. His eyes blazed, and his expression turned deadly, as if he wanted to tear Mu Yuanbai apart. “You’ve only known her for a few days, and you already claim to know she is composed?”

　　Jiang Shuo’s flustered expression gave Mu Yuanbai an undeniable sense of delight. He raised an eyebrow and decided to fan the flames a bit more. “I felt an instant connection with Junior Sister Si Luo. We get along very well, so naturally, I know her extremely well.”

　　Mu Yuanbai deliberately emphasized “extremely well,” mimicking Jiang Shuo’s earlier tone.

　　“But you, you're meddling too much, aren't you?”

　　“You!” Jiang Shuo was momentarily at a loss for words, clearly losing ground in this little sparring match.

　　Si Yao twitched the corner of her mouth, quietly amused. Both of them were grown men, old enough to have a few kids of their own, and here they were arguing like schoolboys over something so trivial.

　　Elder Situ, clearly pleased with the effect he had orchestrated, put on the old good-guy act and tried to mediate between Jiang Shuo and Mu Yuanbai. “You two are geniuses of the Xuánmíng Sect. Do not quarrel over such trivial matters.”

　　After a sigh and a wave of his hand, he concluded the matter. “It’s settled then. You may both leave.”

　　Jiang Shuo furrowed his brow, looking like he had something to say. Elder Situ, noticing this, deliberately asked, “Not satisfied with my arrangement?”

　　He stroked his white beard and chuckled softly. Seeing that Jiang Shuo ignored him, he did not get angry. With a hint of a clever plan, he offered a suggestion. “If you really are dissatisfied, why not agree to inherit the position of Sect Leader? Then everything in the sect will be under your control, and this old man will step back entirely.”

　　Jiang Shuo and the other elders all stared, bewildered. They did not expect Elder Situ to play such a trick.

　　In the end, Jiang Shuo refused Elder Situ’s offer. When the elder noticed his refusal, he gave Jiang Shuo a look laden with meaning, one that made him feel slightly uneasy. He could not shake the feeling that Elder Situ’s gaze silently said, “You will regret this.”

　　From that point on, as per Elder Situ’s arrangement, Mu Yuanbai had Si Yao assist him with all matters related to the Immortal Sect Assembly, consulting her on every single detail.        

　　But Si Yao was, as usual, completely unreliable. She was supposed to be helping Mu Yuanbai, but in reality, most of the work still fell on his shoulders.

　　Still, thanks to Elder Situ’s arrangement, she did end up spending more time around Mu Yuanbai. In the days leading up to the Immortal Sect Assembly, everyone in the sect noticed that the usually lone Senior Brother had a little shadow following him everywhere.

　　On the day of the Immortal Sect Assembly, thousands of disciples of Xuánmíng Sect stood solemnly across the vast spirit platform, which stretched for over a hundred miles.

　　The elders of Xuánmíng Sect stood in their dignified robes, occupying the most honored positions.

　　In the distance, the clouds glowed like fire, streaming colors across the sky.

　　From the horizon, a purple-and-blue beast-bird hurtled toward the sect at incredible speed.

　　Its wings spanned hundreds of meters, casting a shadow over the sun.

　　The beast-bird stopped above Xuánmíng Sect, its back carrying hundreds of people, men and women all dressed in gray Taoist robes.

　　They leapt down from the beast, and at the front was a middle-aged man who stood below the spirit platform and respectfully announced to the elders of Xuánmíng Sect, “Xu Ziying of the Tianluo Sect pays his respects.”

　　Xu Ziying?

　　Si Yao’s heart sank. Why was this cursed part of the story arriving so early?

    

    

________________

T/N: Ho ho ho~ Merry Christmas to all my readers that celebrate it. I wish you mountains of laughter, cozy moments that make your heart melt, and all the cookies and cocoa you can handle. May your days be merry, your nights sparkly, and may you get everything on your wishlist—except for things that might cause trouble, hehe. Stay warm, stay happy, and remember to sprinkle a little magic everywhere you go! 🎄✨ 

 

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter